Self-ligating bracket for use in orthodontics

Abstract

The invention is a self-ligating bracket for use in orthodontics having a base (1); a support (4) arranged on the base (1); an occlusal wall (6) with at least one occlusal ligature wing (9) extending from the support (4); a gingival wall (5) with at least one gingival ligature wing (8) extending from the support (4); a slot (7) separating the occlusal wall (6) and the gingival wall (5) one from the other and extending continuously in the mesial-to-distal direction; a second slot (18) which extends continuously through the support (4) in the gingival-to-occlusal direction, and which is limited by a lingual surface (19) and by a labial surface (6a); and a resilient clip (25) having a labial leg (27) and a lingual leg (26) that are connected one to the other by an occlusal section (28); the lingual leg (26) being received in the second slot (18) and being arranged for displacement in the slot in the gingival-to-occlusal direction between a closed position in which the labial leg (27) extends into a recess (24) in the gingival wall (5) and an open position of the clip (25) in which the tip of the labial leg (27) rests on the occlusal wall (6).

A tongue (30), directed toward the occlusal wall (6), is cut out from the lingual leg (26) of the clip (25) and is bent off in the labial direction so that an acute angle is enclosed between the tongue and the lingual leg (26) of the clip (25).

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention related to a self-ligating bracket for use in orthodontics. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] A bracket of this kind has been known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,486. The known bracket comprises a base the bottom of which is prepared for being glued onto a tooth. The base carries a support which has a surface area generally smaller than the base. An occlusal wall and a gingival wall extending from the support include between them a groove which is open in the labial direction and which extends continuously from the mesial to the distal end, separating the occlusal wall and the gingival wall one from the other. In German technical language, just as in the English language, the groove is also described as “slot”. It serves to receive an arch wire which usually runs through a succession of brackets mounted on a series of neighboring teeth. By drawing or twisting the wire a pre-stress can be p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0036] Preferably, the groove gets narrower from its gingival to its occlusal end and leads to the center of the edge on the gingival end of the lingual leg of the clip. This facilitates the process of finding the groove and of centering the tool on the point best suited for displacing the clip. The groove should extend at least up to the lingual leg of the clip in its closed position. Preferably, it extends still further up to a point below the lingual leg of the clip so that the tool can be guided in the groove over the entire length of displacement of the clip from its closed position to its open position. This further development recommends itself especially in cases where no notch is provided on the gingival end of the lingual leg of the clip.

[0037] Preferably, the groove ends at a stop which, with the clip in the closed position, comes to lie below the lingual leg of the clip, at a spacing from the tip of the lingual leg of the clip. Preferably, the stop is located at the point where the tip of the lingual leg of the clip lies in the open position of the clip. This ensures that the movement of the tool will automatically be stopped once the open position of the clip is reached because the tool will then hit against the stop. However, instead of being transmitted to the delicate clip, the peak force will be transmitted to the solid bracket in this case while the clip will be protected.

[0038] Preferably, the groove extends in the base of the bracket, at least in part. This is favorable with a view to achieving a small overall height of the bracket which in turn improv

Problems solved by technology

Further, the stop in the gingival wall of the bracket limits the maximum dimension of the arch wire in the lingual-to-labial direction.

On the one hand, it weakens the clip.

This disadvantage cannot be remedied by an increase in size of the clip because there exists a simultaneous demand that the bracket should be as small as possible.

On the other hand, food particles may easily get into the space between the clip and the occlusal wall, through the hole in the clip, and may even be compacted by the chewing process.

The food particles practic

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